“IT IS REAL GRASS-ROOTS DEMOCRACY, AND IT IS BEING PRACTICED BY THE IMMIGRANTS WHO LIVE IN EAST HARLEM” – NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Movement for Justice in El Barrio was founded in 2004 by immigrants and low-income people of color of East Harlem to fight for dignity and against neoliberal displacement. A majority- women of color organization, Movement operates on a commitment to self-determination, autonomy, and participatory democracy.

Driven by multi-national corporations and profit-seeking landlords, and facilitated by city officials, gentrification has swept through New York City, causing the wholesale displacement of low-income people of color and immigrants from their communities. East Harlem is experiencing a wave of harassment, abuse, and intimidation as greedy landlords attempt to evict community members from their homes in order to raise rents and increase profits. With over 850 members, Movement has gone building-to-building to organize with their fellow neighbors to build a neighborhood-wide movement for dignity and justice—from below and to the left.

In the heart of NYC, Movement has implemented community-led, horizontal, grassroots participatory democracy.

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Through their “Consulta del Barrio” process, thousands of community members participate directly in community-wide votes and town hall meetings.
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Movement has organized five local and international “Encuentros” to build city-wide, national, and international networks against neoliberalism. Representatives of groups have participated from across the world to share their struggles against neoliberal globalization.